The future looks a little brighter for the golf industry, at least according to a just released study by KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice based in Budapest, Hungary. It shows that courses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa experienced an upturn in business in 2011.
More than 50 percent of the 380 golf course owners and operators reported more rounds played and higher revenues in 2011 compared to 2010. It is the first time since the recession struck in 2008 that the annual survey has yielded positive results.
Respondents of the survey also expressed more satisfaction in business performance, with 57 percent of all facilities saying it was ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, which is up from 44 percent from 2010, while only eight percent felt it was ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’, compared to 17 the previous year.
The survey indicated that golf courses in the Middle East and North Africa region outperformed other markets in 2011, with 78 percent of facilities surveyed reporting ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ results, although some courses in North Africa experienced poor results due to political instability.
Golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland also reported strong results, with 61 percent of courses reporting ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ results.
Download the full report from www.golfbusinesscommunity.com
Construction of a golf course in Cuba to break ground next year
Cuba will begin the construction of the first of 13 golf courses in 2013, as part of the government's strategy to boost tourism for the island, an official from the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) said.
Mintur business director, Jose Daniel Alonso, said that eight of the 13 golf course projects are in various stages of negotiation with potential foreign investors, according to an article from BERNAMA, Malaysian National News Agency.
The new golf courses are expected to be completed and open for play in four years’ time.
tournament will be held from June 21-23 at the Varadro golf course.
Tourism is Cuba's second major industry, with more than 2.7 million visitors and over $2 billion in revenue every year.
KemperSports Selected to Manage Victory Ranch Club
Sterling Bay Companies selected KemperSports to manage Victory Ranch Club, a private luxury home development located 15 miles from Park City in Kamas, Utah.
The Victory Ranch Club is an 18-hole Rees Jones-designed golf course and was recognized by publications such as Golfweek on the “2010 Best New Courses” list.
The new addition to the company’s portfolio marks the 108th course for KemperSports, which began management on June 1st.
Affiniti Golf Partners to manage Griffin Country Club
Affiniti Golf Partners acquired management of Griffin Country Club, a private facility located 45 minutes south of Atlanta.
Griffin Country Club, which was opened in 1967 and designed by Willard Byrd, has been the site of various qualifying tournaments for the Georgia State Open and U.S. Open.
In addition to managing all golf operations, Affiniti Golf Partners will oversee membership, marketing, finance, dining, special events, and swim and tennis functions.
